General Information
The school teaches in accordance with the 1999 School Curriculum and the 2018 Primary Languages Curriculum. Religious education is taught in accordance with our Catholic school ethos. Other areas are facilitated by guest teachers to avail of expertise such as G.A.A. coaching and dancing.
Extra Curricular Activities
We as a staff are committed to the holistic development of the child and we encourage children to develop their talents across many spheres. Further information regarding our school initiatives and activities in which we foster integral education are available in the school initiatives section.
Catchment Areas
The traditional catchment area of this school is Ballyduff village and surrounding area with a radius of approximately 2 to 3 miles. However, parents have the right to send their children to the school of their choice or indeed educate them at home.
School Opening and Closing Times
Children may entre the school grounds at 9:05 am. There is supervision in the schoolyard from 9:05 am until the bell rings. On wet mornings children will be supervised in the school hall. The bell rings and doors open at 9.10 a.m. Rolls are called each morning for attendance purposes. Break times are 11.00 to 11.10 am and 12.30 to 1.00 p.m. Infants go home at 1.50 p.m. and other classes at 2.50 p.m. Infant children should be accompanied to the classroom and collected from the classroom at home time.
Bridging the Digital Divide – Funding by the European Union
Ballyduff NS received a grant in 2021 to implement initiatives aimed at addressing the digital divide and supporting our learners at risk of educational disadvantage. This project, part of the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), is funded by the European Union through Next Generation EU and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This funding was used to help bridge the digital divide by providing pupils at risk of educational disadvantage with the use of devices, and mainly we purchased Samsung tablets for use in our classrooms to give all children, especially those without internet and devices at home, an opportunity to engage fully in digital learning. We also purchased educational apps for our school devices, such as literacy and numeracy apps.
This investment has had a positive impact on school life, empowering students to access online resources, complete assignments, and build essential digital skills. We are committed to using this funding to create more equitable learning opportunities for all our students